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SB 966

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2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stan McClain

In Howard County, the bill adds required public meetings, annual emissions reporting near residential areas, and may authorize a local property tax credit for homes near air emissi

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Bill Summary · SB 966

SB 966 — Howard County — Ambient Air Quality Control: Permits, Permit Holders, and Property Tax Credit (Ho. Co. 6‑25)

Status: Introduced January 29, 2025. Hearing (Education, Energy, and the Environment): March 11, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Primary sponsor: Sen. Fevella; Cosponsor: San Buenaventura.

Purpose

To increase public engagement and local oversight for certain air‑quality‑related permit decisions in Howard County, to require additional emissions reporting by certain permit holders, and to authorize Howard County to offer a property tax credit for owner‑occupied residences near permitted air‑emitting sites.

Key provisions

  • Informational meetings (Environment §1‑603 amendment)

    • The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) must provide an informational meeting for any application for an air quality control permit for an activity located in Howard County.
    • The meeting may be canceled if the Howard County Delegation to the General Assembly requests that it not be held.

  • Public meetings for zoning verification (Environment §2‑404 amendment)

    • If MDE or an applicant asks Howard County to provide documentation/verification that a proposed source meets zoning and land‑use requirements, the county must publicize and hold a public meeting where interested parties can testify before providing that documentation.

  • Annual emissions reporting (added Environment §2‑407)

    • A permit holder for an activity in Howard County that is conducted within one mile of property zoned residential that the permit holder previously owned must provide annual emissions reports to any community associations representing those property owners.

  • Property tax credit authorization (Tax‑Property §9‑315 amendment)

    • The bill authorizes (but does not itself create) the governing body of Howard County to enact, by local law, a property tax credit against county property tax for owner‑occupied residential real property located within one‑half mile of a site for which an air quality control permit or registration has been issued.

  • Reporting by county officials

    • By January 1, 2026, the Howard County Executive and County Council must report to the Howard County Delegation on: (1) whether and how the county could adopt ambient air quality standards more restrictive than State/MDE standards; and (2) a plan for implementing such standards.

Who is affected

  • MDE: new meeting and coordination responsibilities.
  • Howard County government: must hold public meetings in certain circumstances, prepare/receive reports, and may enact a tax credit (with potential revenue effects).
  • Permit applicants and permit holders in Howard County: additional public meeting requirements and, in some cases, annual emissions reporting to community associations.
  • Residents and community associations near permitted sites: expanded avenues for information and testimony; potential eligibility for future county tax credit if enacted.

Fiscal impact and timing

  • Fiscal note (Department of Legislative Services): General Fund expenditures for MDE increase to hire one administrator to coordinate permit issuance/enforcement in Howard County: estimated GF cost of $77,700 in FY2026 (partial year), $91,800 in FY2027, then lower ongoing costs thereafter (FY2028: $55,500; FY2029: $58,100; FY2030: $60,500).
  • Howard County expenditures likely increase beginning FY2026; county property tax revenues may decrease if the county adopts the authorized tax credit.
  • Effective dates: authorization to establish a property tax credit and the reporting requirement for specified county elected officials take effect June 1, 2025. (The fiscal note also references an October 1, 2025 effective date for the air‑permit provisions.)

Legislative/administrative notes

  • The bill amends Environment Article §§1‑603 and 2‑404, adds §2‑407, and amends Tax‑Property §9‑315.
  • The bill focuses specifically on activities and permits located in Howard County and does not change statewide air quality standards.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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